Good to Great by Jim Collins was first published over twenty years ago and is perhaps more relevant now than ever. For anyone that hasn’t read it, firstly, I highly recommend it, and secondly, it describes the consistent features of organisations that make that leap to become market leaders in their respective industries. Call it a business bible for success.

The early chapters focus on people, the most valuable resource in any business, describing how the paradoxical mix of modesty and drive results in accountable, diligent, and self-effacing level five leaders. A concept called First Who, Then What is introduced in the following chapter and sets out the idea of ‘getting the right people on the bus’ before you set off on delivering a vision.

Any leader who has built a successful business ensures they have the right people in important positions before creating a strategy. They know there will be bumps in the road, unforeseen problems, and chaos or uncertainty along the way. You cannot predict what is coming next, and your best strategy is to surround yourself with people who can adapt no matter what. Having a great vision without great people is irrelevant.

But it is equally important that people want to be on your bus, that they understand and resonate with what your organisation is trying to achieve. That sense of community and being part of something special is becoming increasingly important, with people wanting to feel like they are making a difference.

So how do you create a sense of community, making sure you have the right people and convincing them to get on your bus rather than waiting for the next arrival?

A business's core behaviours and values are intrinsic to success and appear throughout the organisation. In successful companies that I have had the pleasure of working with, these five stand out and, in my opinion, form the bedrock to build good businesses into great businesses.

Passion

Successful leaders and organisations have an intense excitement and enthusiasm for what they do. It spreads by osmosis throughout the teams, encouraging creative thinking, problem-solving, and calculated risk-taking.

Recognition

Great businesses celebrate success and recognise their people. A culture where employees receive feedback on results and performance, built on insight and observation, enhances both the individual and the company. 

Integrity

Integrity is doing things in the right way, standing up for your values, and allowing honest, trusting, and reliable relationships to form.

Develop

Successful companies invest in developing their people, business, and culture. It is crucial for individuals to feel part of something that is ever-evolving, growing, and building toward their future.

Empower

Great businesses empower their people to make informed decisions. Thus encouraging them to take calculated risks to make themselves and the organisation better.

It is no coincidence that the first letters of each word spell the word PRIDE. Everyone wants to be proud of what they achieve, whether personal or professional, and businesses need to understand these feelings.

Consider how you can bring a sense of pride to everyone in your team, creating a culture that means they never want to leave your bus. Come to think of it, whose bus is it anyway? Yours or Theirs?

At Fuelled Fit and Fired Up, our purpose is simple. We want to help you develop a healthy, successful, and sustainable business. If you are interested in finding out how we can unleash the power in your business, then contact us at info@fuelledfitandfiredup.com.

David Rogers, Founder & CEO of Fuelled, Fit and Fired Up